A podcast introducing the great voyages of history, from the early classical explorers to modern times

Episode 4B: Down the Indus River

In this second part covering Alexander and Nearchus’ travels into India, we follow Alexander’s army and fleet as it sails down the Indus’ tributaries to finally reach the great river itself, sweeping aside all opposition in its path. In addition, we introduce Alexander’s idiosyncratic pilot, Onesicritus.

Episode 4B: This is a map of the Indus River basin. Alexander set out from the Hydaspes (Jhelam), moved his fleet to the confluence of the Chenab, where he almost met with disaster because of the current, before finally moving down the Chenab to the Indus.

His total travel distance as a crow flies was somewhat over 1,000 km, and it took him some 8 months to reach the delta.

Alexander’s Indian conquests, with the Mallian campaign taking place around the confluence of the Hydaspes and the Aescines. After the campaign, Nearchus would base his fleet at Patala (Hyderabad) and it is from Patala that he will depart on his epic voyage to the Indian Ocean.
I chose not to go into too much detail with regard to Alexander’s Indian conquests, because this is the history of exploration, and not the history of Alexander, or the history of ancient warfare, after all.
I hope Episodes 4A and 4B did an adequate job setting us up for Nearchus’s journey, which I intend to be the main dish to our Alexander meal.

Thanks so much Simon! Hearing from listeners is one of the reasons why I really like podcasting! I am very happy that you like the podcast, and would welcome any comments you have for me to continue to improve further!

I honestly couldn’t suggest any way to improve the podcasts themselves, which are so well-researched and narrated. But it would be great to expand the website a little if possible – e.g. have some accompanying pictures, such as maps or ancient artefacts from the period and region, as well as links to other interesting sources. And even a little bio on yourself, if you feel like it! This is something Brandon at the Maritime History Podcast, another of my favourite podcasts with which I’m sure you’re familiar, does really nicely. But I know how time-consuming such work is, even with WordPress – so don’t feel you have to!
Hope this helps.

I am thoroughly enjoying the podcast as well. If I had one suggestion, it would be to include the images/maps here on this website. It wasn’t readily obvious from the podcasts that the maps were posted only to the Facebook page — I assumed they would be posted here.

I am thoroughly enjoying the podcast as well. If I had one suggestion, it would be to include the images/maps here on this website. It wasn’t readily obvious from the podcasts that the maps were posted only to the Facebook page — I assumed they would be posted here.

Fair enough, you guys make a good point. I took some time this morning and migrated all of the content from the Facebook page here as well! So now, you no longer need Facebook to access all of the auxiliary content.

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